by: Pamela S.N. Goldman, DO

We DO...Reflection

At nearly the half-way mark of our association’s fiscal year, we reflect on the activities and accomplishments we’ve achieved as well as look towards the next set of goals.  We continue to drive the strategic initiatives under our pillars of Education, Communication, Influence, and Community. 

Education:  The planning teams for the District 8 Winter CME Conference at Nemacolin and the annual Clinical Assembly at Valley Forge are developing educational programs and gathering top-rate speakers for our members.  With 2020 being the end of the licensure cycle for Pennsylvania, the programs are filled with required credits to help members meet these requirements, as well as learn the latest evidence-based information.

Communication:  We continue to reach out to both member and non-member osteopathic physicians in Pennsylvania, providing information on programs and services as part of our member benefits.  We recently had opportunities to speak with osteopathic students and residents who shared some of the angst regarding the future of osteopathic medical practice and post-graduate education.  We hear the concern and are actively preparing to meet the challenges. Through outreach to our “legacy” osteopathic residency programs, we plan to use Foundation resources to support Osteopathically Recognized programs in the upcoming time of integration.  We continue to grow our social media presence as we use multiple platforms to interact with our members.

Influence:  We draw on the strength of the unified voice as we participate in several coalitions with other Pennsylvania medicine groups to advocate for our physician members. Our relationships are stronger than ever, and this allow us to be on the forefront of health-related issues in Harrisburg.  We launched our first “Under the DOme” legislative newsletter to keep our members informed of legislative activity. We are in the process of identifying “Key Osteopathic Physicians” in every legislative district to be the constituent voice on behalf of the association.

Community:  As you can see from the list of upcoming meetings in the newsletter, our districts are active! The local programs range from product theater to legislative education. We look forward to social/family activities again this year as well as districts start planning for the spring. As the medical community composition is changing with the integration of our residencies and fellowships, we are preparing opportunities to allow our allopathic colleagues to be associate members of the association.

The second half of this year will bring renovations to our central office on Eisenhower Boulevard, awarding of scholarships to students and residents, grant funding of residency wellness programs, development of an internship program in non-profit medical associations, further public policy development, and legislative education opportunities. We are a vibrant and active association due to the dedication of our members, leaders, and staff. Under the tenure of our CEO, Diana Ewert, we have seen growth in membership, increased member value, expansion of our technological capabilities, and along with the leadership, the creation of a future vision that will position POMA to succeed in the current and future state of osteopathic medicine.

by: Diana Ewert

“Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. How do you measure? Measure a year?”
-Lyrics from Rent

How do we measure a year? By looking back at what we have accomplished? Or by looking forward to what will come? In this association career that I embrace, we do both. We prepare for the future seeing the past in that rear view mirror. That past doesn’t limit the forward view through the windshield. Nor does it frame the future as a box that we need to stay within. Past experiences should be evaluated given today’s environment. The POMA bylaws were written in a period of time when the speed of communication was predictable. A phone call was connected by operator. First class mail was 2 cents. Remember thermal facsimile? The environment has evolved significantly since 1903 and POMA is evolving with it.

The governing documents of POMA are under member review which is being led by Jeffery Dunkelberger, DO, POMA’s Speaker of the House. The document as a whole is being reviewed with the intent to modernize the articles. This includes streamlining POMA’s mission, recognizing communication vehicles, assessing membership structure, reinforcing governance, and updating the Manual of Procedures. POMA is a member led, member focused association. The board sets the strategic direction while the staff team, working collaboratively with leadership, implements. Last November, the board set the strategic direction under four pillars – Communications, Community, Education and Influence. Progress continues on the interim and long-term objectives. The POMA Board will be looking towards the future at the November board meeting where we will take the lessons learned, assess the future and realign our goals and objectives for the 525,600 minutes.

Do You Know Who Represents You in the Pennsylvania General Assembly?

If you read the headline and are like most people in the state, don’t be concerned if you did not raise your hand. POMA is here to help! But why? Why should you care who represents you? 

As a physician, state legislators make decisions every day that impact either your profession and/or your patients. There are laws that mandate how much and what kind of continuing medical education you must receive, insurance laws that dictate what, when, how and how often you can treat your patients in order to receive payment for your services and scope of practice laws that determine what treatments non-physician providers are legally able to provide to patients. Hopefully that got your attention! The bottom line is that constituents like you, can have a far greater impact on legislative decisions because of the fact most people don’t get involved. This means if you make the effort to meet with your State Representative and Senator, your voice will be magnified!

READ MORE >>

Attention Residents - Apply Now for Wellness Event Grants!

The POMA Committee on Physician Wellness is pleased to announce that applications for Resident Wellness Events are being accepted for the 2019-2020 academic year. POMA’s Committee on Physicians Wellness is committed to encouraging osteopathic family mental health/well-being through focused activities sponsored and supported by POMA and the POMA Foundation. Our goal is to start the conversation and open dialogue regarding personal well-being in all levels of the osteopathic profession from students to attending physicians.

Click here to complete the online application - the deadline for submission is October 15, 2019. Click here to view last year's projects.

Registration Open for the District VIII Winter Seminar!

Make plans now to attend POMA District VIII’s 33rd Annual Educational Winter Seminar!  The 2020 conference will be held January 30 – February 2 at Nemacolin Woodlands.  This year’s program will offer up to 24 Category 1-A AOA CME credits.

Registration is now open!  Click here to register online or download the registration form.

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 x170 or email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there!

 District Dish

District 10

POMA District 10 gathered on Friday, September 27, 2019 for their monthly event at the Blue Bell Inn in Blue Bell, PA. The group enjoyed a lecture about Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Lung Disease by Gary Aaronson, DO.

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POMA PGYP Meetings Kick Off

PGYP West Region

This year’s first PGYP-West Region Meeting was held on September 25, 2019 at the North Country Brewing Company in Slippery Rock, PA. The evening was kicked off with an ice breaker activity that asked participants to write down their answers to the following questions:

1. What was (is) the most recent non-medical book you have read/are reading?
2. What is your “specialty dish” – the one no one can make as good as you?
3. Is your bed made?

The participants then folded their cards and they were redistributed. Each card was read and the group tried to determine whose answers were on the card. Following re-assigning the answers to their respective owners, a discussion regarding reading fiction and non-fiction and empathy, cooking as innovation, and successful habits including making one’s bed with references to these practices.

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PGYP East Region

The Professional Guidance/Young Physician – East Region held its first meeting of the year on September 26, 2019 at Maggiano’s in King of Prussia. It was wonderful to see such a great turnout – we had 20 residents/interns, 5 committee physicians and 1 POMA staff member in attendance.

Elections were held during the meeting to represent residents in the East Region at the POMA Board of Trustees and POMA House of Delegates. Andrea DeSimone, DO from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the Board Representative and Amanda Piraino, DO from Bryn Mawr Hospital is the Alternate Representative. The Representative and Alternate to the POMA House of Delegates in April will be discussed at the December meeting.

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ISMIE's Risk Management Symposium – November 1, 2019

Looking to mitigate risk and get additional CME credits? As a benefit of your POMA membership, POMA members can attend ISMIE’s Risk Management Symposium on November 1, 2019 at the Westin Chicago Lombard at a discounted rate of $300 – AND receive an additional 10% off their registration.

Register here before October 25^th to receive this additional 10% discount by using the promo code “POMA”. This live activity is designated for a maximum of 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (full details about CME for this event can be found here).

If you are already insured through ISMIE, we are proud to offer our Risk Management Symposium at no charge. For more information on the ISMIE Risk Management Symposium, visit https://www.ismierms.com/schedule.html. 

The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Foundation (POMAF) is pleased to announce several scholarships are now open for application. Pennsylvania students who are enrolled as an OMS II, OMS III or OMS IV and residents are eligible to apply as long as they meet the criteria. The scholarships and applications are accessible online.  Applications can also be downloaded and mailed to the POMA Foundation. Scholarship amounts will be determined by the Foundation board. The deadline for applications is January 14, 2020. The Foundation board will review all applications and awards will be made late February/early March.

We would greatly appreciate your help in circulating this among your student and resident contacts. Feel free to share the information and link in social media, newsletters, etc. Make sure to use the hashtag #POMAF20 and tag us on Twitter, @POMA_DOs and Facebook, @POMADOs.

by: Margaret Still, DO

Shed a Tear

Throughout my 20-something year career in outpatient medicine, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful connection with many patients behind the closed doors of my offices. There, patients can freely smile, cry, and share concerns without a fear of judgement. This emotional sharing allows for a powerful connection between patient and physician. Sometimes I know more about their inner thoughts and fears than their family does. I’ve laughed with my patients as well as shed many a tear in solidarity with them. Both encounters are equally powerful to me as well as to me patients. Don’t be afraid to express your humanity in the moment.

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DOs DOing More

The American Red Cross in Central Pennsylvania

Shortly after we moved to Lewisburg in 1987 someone suggested I might be available to the Union County chapter of the American Red Cross as their medical advisor. When asked I happily agreed. I had supported the Red Cross for years with blood donations and monetary contributions, so I was happy to make my medical knowledge available to them locally. After a few years of attending board meetings, as the local chapter was looking to expand the board I said, “I come to the meetings anyway, why not make me a board member.” I have been on the board or an advisor ever since. The organization has changed over the years and I am now part of the North Central Pennsylvania chapter which covers most of POMA District 6.

In the early years I had little responsibility other than approving medical guidelines for use in situations such as disaster shelters.

I started giving blood again as I slowed my busy medical practice. I’m not sure how many gallons I have donated, at least 3 or 4. I have also given presentations to community organizations about the Red Cross mission and services.

READ MORE >>

Get to Know Your Advocates

Lori Hildebrand, Vice President of APOMA

Lori Hildebrand joined the Osteopathic family as an employee after completing a Medical Office Management course. She has been working for Sally Ann Rex, DO for the past 27 years. During that time, she has seen firsthand how the osteopathic philosophy which includes osteopathic manipulative therapy can benefit a patient. She has attended many of the local and national conventions over the years.

A member of APOMA for five years, Lori has served as Secretary and is currently Vice President. She is also a Director on the AAOA board and has been to the past three AAOA HOD meetings.

Lori is very active with her church, serving on Alter Guild and teaching Level 1 Confirmation students with her sister Kris.

Lori loves to travel, especially on cruises and has been on many amazing trips, some of her favorites being Alaska, South America and Antarctica, the Mediterranean and a Christmas river boat cruise on the Danube. She also enjoys relaxing with a glass of wine and snuggling with her two cats Sheeba and Tucker.

View the
newsletter online!

Table of Contents...

1. President's Perspective
2. Executive Opinion
3. POMA ISMIE Affinity Program
4. Policy Points
5. POMA Resident Wellness Events Grant
6. Registration Open for District VIII Winter Seminar
7. District Dish
8. POMA PGYP Meetings Recap
9. ISMIE's Risk Management Symposium
10. POMAF Scholarships
11. How Are You DOing?
12. DOs DOing More
13. Get to Know Your Advocates
14. Upcoming District Events
15. Upcoming Young Professionals Meetings
16. POMA Urges Toomey/Casey to Support THCGME
17. Welcome New Members
18. Classified Advertisements
19. Follow POMA on Social Media
20. POMPAC
21. Save the Date - Upcoming CME Conferences
22. POMA's Going Pink
23. Online CME Available
24. Under the DOme

Upcoming District Events 

Please address all correspondence for POMA Box Letters to: c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA  17111-2395.

PHYSICIANS WANTED:

PART-TIME PRACTITIONER NEEDED IN PHILADELPHIA.18 hours per week. Excellent compensation. Call 215-669-4001.

FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY CORE FACULTY POSITION - Crozer-Keystone Health System, in suburban Philadelphia, is seeking a Family Medicine Physician for a Core Faculty position in our nationally recognized Residency Program. Must have broad based inpatient and outpatient clinical skills and strong interest in teaching residents and medical students. Excellent benefits, generous CME allowance and malpractice insurance with tail coverage. Email CV to [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/CrozerPAFP for more information.

ROWANSOM SEEKS A CHAIR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS. The position provides leadership, director and development of all teaching, clinical, research, community, and support activities within the Department of Pediatrics. Candidates must hold a DO or MD degree, be either AOA or ABMS board certified in pediatrics, and have five years of professional experience. The RowanSOM clinical campus is located in South Jersey, 8 miles from Philadelphia, 1 hour from the Atlantic Ocean and 2 hours from New York City. Click here for more information and to apply online. 

OPPORTUNITY — PHYSICIAN POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Media and Lancaster. Flexible hours, private practice, 3-4 hour shifts, no on-call, malpractice insurance needed. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 610-566-8885

PRACTICES WANTED: Retiring physicians, part-time or full-time practices, call 215-669-4001.

CLASSIFIED AD
RATES
— Per insertion —

Member Ads*: $10 for the first 20 words, $.25 for each additional word. $2 each for special services: box letter, all caps or all bold type, boxing an ad in.

Non-member Ads: (Payment must be received in advance.) $50 for the first 20 words, .50 each additional word. $5 for each special service (listed above).

*Please Note: Member ad rate to be used only by POMA members and only for their medicine- or practice-related ads. Charges for other types of members’ ads will be calculated using the non-member ad rate.

POMA does not take a position of endorsing any organizations, individuals or services whose classified advertisements appear in this publication. The POMA Newsletter reserves the right to select and edit all advertisements submitted.

Follow POMA on social media for all the latest news!

POMPAC is 
the collective voice of the osteopathic profession in Pennsylvania.

Send your personal check today to POMPAC c/o POMA, 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111, or charge your contribution to your credit card! 

PAC contributions are not tax-deductible.

SAVE THE DATE - Upcoming CME Conferences

POMA District 8 33rd Annual Educational Winter Seminar
Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2020
Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington, PA
Registration Now Open!

POMA 112th Annual Clinical Assembly
Apr. 29 – May 2, 2020
Radisson Valley Forge, King of Prussia, PA
Registration will open winter 2019!

If you have any questions, please contact Deb Cargill-Roan at (717) 939-9318 ext 170 or email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you soon! 

 POMA's Going Pink! 

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, POMA’s social media will be going pink on October 18th. We will be posting photos of us in our pink and ask that you join us.

Snap a photo of you in your pink and either tag us in the photo on Facebook or Twitter or send us the photo to [email protected] and we will post the photo on our page.

Get your entire family or office involved. Thank you in advance for participating and helping us raise awareness! 

Looking for Online CME?

On-demand programs, webinars and live educational opportunities that address a wide variety of topics are available on DO-CME.

DO-CME is an online collaborative education center with the osteopathic state societies and AOSED.

Visit DO-CME.org to start earning credits today!

Under the DOme

Did you catch POMAs new advocacy newsletter, Under the DOme? 

Under the DOme is a new member benefit providing you with an update of the advocacy work POMA is engaged and/or monitoring to ensure DOs and their patients have the best possible opportunity for strong physician-patient relationships and care. POMA is THE organization that represents you as a DO in the state in all areas of advocacy.

We hope you find Under the DOme to be a valuable advocacy tool. Send your feedback to [email protected].

Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association | 1330 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111  (717) 939-9318 | www.poma.org